Dharmendra Pradhan pronounces NTA overhaul with recruitment exams ending by 2025: Do these modifications intention to repair examination failures and restore belief?

In a major growth, Union Training Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, throughout at the moment’s winter Parliament session, introduced that beginning 2025, the Nationwide Testing Company (NTA) will not conduct recruitment examinations. As an alternative, it can focus solely on entrance examinations for greater schooling establishments. He additional said that the federal government plans to introduce computer-adaptive testing, a tech-driven strategy for entrance examinations, sooner or later.
Moreover, the Minister revealed that the NTA will endure restructuring in 2025, with the addition of 10 new posts. He additionally talked about ongoing discussions with the Well being Ministry relating to whether or not the Nationwide Eligibility cum Entrance Check for Undergraduate programmes (NEET UG) might be carried out in pen-paper mode or on-line mode.
The important thing query now could be: What led the schooling ministry to announce such drastic modifications?
Earlier than delving into these points, let’s first study the main entrance examinations carried out by the NTA, each for recruitment and better schooling establishments.

NTA Exams: Main entrance and recruitment checks

The Nationwide Testing Company is accountable for conducting a number of national-level entrance examinations for greater schooling establishments in addition to recruitment exams. Listed here are the main examinations carried out by the company. NTA conducts a number of different examinations additionally other than these.

Stricken by leaks and lapses: A deep dive into main NTA controversies

The modifications introduced by Union Training Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stem from the a number of controversies which have plagued the Nationwide Testing Company (NTA) in recent times. Points similar to paper leaks, impersonation, technical glitches, and lapses in examination safety have eroded belief within the system. The NEET UG and UGC NET controversies of 2024, specifically, underscored systemic failures and the necessity for reform. Previously, there have been a number of cases the place NTA discovered itself in troubled waters. Allegations of impersonation, mishandling of biometric information, and untrained invigilators additional underscore the systemic lapses. The federal government-appointed panel, led by Dr. Ok. Radhakrishnan, beneficial restructuring the NTA to strengthen examination safety, accountability, and operational effectivity. These reforms intention to revive credibility, guarantee equity, and introduce a tech-driven strategy to entrance examinations in India. From the JEE Predominant paper leak and CUET-UG’s technical glitches to a number of NEET UG controversies, listed below are 5 main NTA controversies which have occurred within the current previous.
NEET UG 2024: Query Paper Leak and Grace Marks Controversy
The NEET-UG 2024 examination, held on Might 5 for over 24 lakh college students, sparked controversy after allegations of a query paper leak and irregularities. Following the outcomes on June 4, issues arose over grace marks awarded to 1,563 college students and an unusually excessive variety of toppers. Protests erupted nationwide, and petitions reached the Supreme Court docket demanding a re-test and re-evaluation.
On June 13, the Supreme Court docket ordered a re-examination for college students receiving grace marks whereas emphasizing equity. Regardless of preliminary denials, the Training Minister later admitted to lapses in safety protocols. Investigations into alleged paper leaks in Hazaribagh and Patna had been directed to state police, with the courtroom in search of detailed reviews.
On July 24, the Supreme Court docket dismissed pleas for a nationwide re-test, citing an absence of systemic points and potential disruption to educational schedules. Whereas it acknowledged remoted incidents of malpractice, it burdened the necessity for thorough investigation with out impacting hundreds of thousands of scholars.
UGC NET June 2024 Examination Cancellation
Amid the NEET controversy, the UGC NET June 2024 examination, held on June 18, was canceled because of widespread irregularities. Points included hologram stickers for identification verification being connected post-exam in Prayagraj and candidates in Bihar’s Danapur detained after biometric information was misplaced. Moreover, candidates had been allowed to take admit playing cards house towards NTA tips, elevating issues over verification lapses. Poor infrastructure worsened issues, with heatwave situations, inadequate water, and insufficient air flow reported at a number of facilities.
For the primary time since 2018, the UGC NET was carried out offline in OMR mode as an alternative of the Pc-Based mostly Check (CBT), resulting in errors and delays. These systemic failures have highlighted the pressing want for reform in India’s examination system to make sure equity, reliability, and scholar well-being. Learn our report right here.
NEET UG: Costume Code and Safety Violations
2023: In 2023, after showing within the NEET examination, a number of candidates took to social media to share their expertise. Complaints continued, with feminine candidates in Maharashtra made to show their kurtas inside out, and others pressured to alter innerwear. Mother and father criticized the dearth of standardized working procedures for invigilators, citing emotional misery induced to college students throughout such high-stakes exams. Learn our report right here.
2022: A 17-year-old in Kerala was pressured to take away her bra after its steel hooks triggered a safety alarm. Related circumstances of invasive frisking had been reported, together with college students being requested to take away hijabs and burqas. The incident sparked outrage over the insensitivity of safety protocols. Learn our report right here.
CUET UG 2022: Glitches and Chaos
The debut version of the Widespread College Entrance Check (CUET-UG) was marred by logistical failures, together with last-minute modifications to examination facilities, widespread cancellations, and technical glitches. On July 15, college students had been unable to seem for the take a look at because of sudden modifications, with no retests supplied. Pure disasters additional disrupted exams in states like Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh, whereas errors in admit playing cards compounded the confusion. Technical points endured all through, affecting hundreds of scholars, and the examination’s extension delayed admissions, irritating candidates nationwide. Learn our report right here.
JEE Predominant Paper Leak and Impersonation Scandal (2021)
In March 2021, screenshots of the JEE Predominant query paper surfaced on social media shortly after the examination started, elevating issues of a leak. Candidates and training facilities confirmed the questions matched these within the examination. The Nationwide Testing Company (NTA) confronted criticism for safety lapses, as cellphones, banned throughout the examination, appeared to have been used for the leak. Learn our report right here.
Later that yr, between August 26 and September 2, the NTA recognized 9 impersonation circumstances and blacklisted 23 take a look at facilities. The Ministry of Training positioned 49 facilities and 419 candidates underneath surveillance, citing violations like unauthorized supplies and impersonation. Learn our report right here.

The seven member panel suggestion for NTA

Throughout the NEET UG controversy, a government-appointed panel was shaped, chaired by former Indian Area Analysis Organisation (ISRO) chief Dr. Ok. Radhakrishnan. The panel proposed a collection of reforms geared toward strengthening examination safety. One of many key suggestions was the restructuring of the Nationwide Testing Company (NTA). In its preliminary section of implementation, the committee proposed a five-point restructuring plan for the Nationwide Testing Company (NTA). This contains:

These proposed reforms maintain the potential to reshape the panorama of medical entrance examinations in India, guaranteeing better transparency, safety, and accessibility for all candidates.
Click on right here to learn our report.